Writing a story is difficult for many to accomplish, and finding inspiration for ideas is even harder. If you're stuck and about to give up, this article will offer some hints and tips on getting the idea you've been looking for.

Steps

Part 1

Getting Inspired by Your Surroundings

1

Look around your home. Do you see anything with a story behind it? Like that necklace grandma gave you, or the blue ribbon for the soccer tournament? Put that story down on paper.

2

Look around your outside. For example, if you live in a nature filled place, take a look at the leaves and how they sway in the wind and those small, delicate butterflies that flutter from flower to flower. Writing down notes of what you see, touch, taste, hear and smell will help you on the road to coming up with a new story idea.

3

Watch random people walk down the street and write a pretend life story for them. It may seem strange, but you never know where doing this might lead by way of a character leading a curious life. If there aren't people around, try Googling up pictures of random people and using them instead.

Try people watching when at your favorite coffee shop or while waiting for a bus.

Part 2

Getting Inspired by the Online World

1

Look online for a list or writing topics. You can find plenty of topics that you would have never thought of by searching websites, search engines and article sites.

Look for listicles which list many different things for each topic of interest to you.

2

Browse the internet for news items. The news can inspire many ideas, especially if the news items provoke feelings of joy, anger, annoyance, compassion, and so on.

Bookmark or keep copies of news items that you like, for future reference.

3

Watch your favorite video clips, movies or other video material online. Go to your country's archives to find films about the past as a great source of historic inspiration.

Part 3

Getting Inspired by Other Media

1

Think about movies and books you've enjoyed and what made you enjoy them. Was it a certain type of character or a setting? Try incorporating similar elements into your own story.

2

Write about your favorite book or movie. Just be sure you don't plagiarize, if you plan on showing your story to others.

Part 4

Getting inspired by your own life

1

Think of an event that has happened in your life recently, or maybe something that happened a long time ago. How did it affect you? Did it have a lasting impression, or even impact? Jot down your thoughts and try crafting a story from that.

If you had an awesome adventure or a special event that had an impact on your life, you could use this as a story idea.

2

Write about the dream you had last night. The plotlines for numerous famous stories and novels were hatched in the dreams of their author's. It may seem unlikely, but your dream could become a bestseller someday!

Keeping a journal and pen on your night stand right before you go to sleep is helpful. If you have an insane dream that you must write down, grab your journal and start writing.

The dreams don't have to be recent. They can also be ones that you remember from your childhood or many moons ago.

Part 5

Getting Inspired in Other Ways

1

Try random words or phrases. For example: a secret diary, a squishy banana and a sneaky babysitter. Take your three phrases or words and try to make a story out of it. You'll never know how it will turn out if you don't try!

2

Choose a genre to be inspired by. The type of story you choose to write about must be developed around a certain genre and is the most important part of coming up with a story. Whether it's a romance, teen fiction or a thriller, selecting the genre may be a good source of inspiration for more ideas.